Meet your PTS Council 2025/26

The PTS is 96 years old and is continuously evolving to meet the needs of our membership and the philatelic environment we operate in. The PTS Council steers the society, represents our global community, and is a voice for the trade and the hobby.

Joining our highly experienced Council this term are Dieter Michelson and Michael Cortese. Together with Council Members who continue to serve, we are proud to have such a passionate, diverse group of professionals working together with the PTS Office team to deliver our plans for 2025/26 and set our strategy for the years to come. The group have over 350 years of trade experience between them.

Council Members volunteer their time to shape, drive and support our society on behalf of our members, and philately. Council Members are individuals, not businesses. They bring a depth of professional experience and breadth of wider experiences to help us navigate the year ahead, and beyond.

Going into this new term, each Council Member was asked why is serving on the PTS Council important to you? New Council Members, Dieter and Michael were asked for a little extra introduction. Helen and Suzanne also provided their thoughts. See these below alongside some photos so you recognise the Council and Team when you see them at shows and online.

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Simon Carson (Chair)

Philangles, UK 

"I am honoured to sit as Chair to this wonderful society promoting philately and it's trade members on a global stage.

Philately has and always will be my life, I couldn’t imagine being in a better society.

Stampex is the highlight of the philatelic year and at the show it’s great catching up with fellow trade members….."

Iain Murphy (Vice Chair)

Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's, UK

"Serving as Vice Chairman of the PTS allows me to help shape the future of philately, ensuring the hobby and the trade remain dynamic and relevant for years to come. My vision is to create greater opportunities for people to engage with collecting, using digital tools to improve accessibility and build connections across our community, for both newcomers and experienced collectors. Supporting events such as Stampex and encouraging knowledge sharing are central to this vision. I am committed to a welcoming, forward-looking environment that inspires interest in philately and strengthens ties among our members."

Mark Bloxham (Treasurer)

Mark Bloxham Stamps, UK

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have built a rewarding business and career in philately, an industry that has brought me both personal and professional fulfilment. Serving on the PTS Council is my way of giving something back to the community that has given me so much. I am deeply passionate about ensuring the PTS Shield stands as a true mark of professionalism and trust within our field. Above all, I care about the future of our hobby and want to help secure a vibrant, respected, and sustainable philatelic trade for generations to come."

Chris Green

Sparks Auctions, Canada

"The PTS is the leading international organisation for the philatelic trade, with a unique role in promoting both the business and the hobby worldwide. Of great importance to me is how the PTS looks outward to create engaging initiatives to attract new collectors while supporting those already passionate about philately. As part of Council, I appreciate the opportunity to help shape that work, to promote the trade, and to play a part in keeping philately vibrant and visible."

Tom Fell

Spink, UK

"As a younger member of the trade, in serving on the PTS Council I intend to make strides towards ensuring that there is a future for all in philately. The PTS is supremely placed to bring meaningful change into our world in order to future proof our engagement with philately, and safeguard it from the prevailing pressures upon it. Delivery of a quality physical and virtual show is central to our efforts and provides a bi-annual focus for philately available to all ages and levels. I conduct my working life within the philatelic ‘arena’ and I see first hand how much it means to those who enjoy the hobby; it is for these reasons that serving on the PTS Council is important to me and I am buoyed by the idea that our work might develop this ‘arena’ and facilitate enjoyment for future generations."

Brian Bayford

BB Stamps, UK 

"I would like to continue to serve on the PTS Council because I am passionate about stamps. The PTS plays a vital role in supporting members and ensuring the long term health of the stamp trade and hobby. Serving on the Council gives me the opportunity to contribute my experience and ideas that then hopefully benefit both our members and the wider collecting community."

Dieter Michelson

Global Philatelic Network (Heinrich Köhler), Germany

"I have dedicated over four decades to the philatelic industry, holding executive roles that have significantly shaped the field. My career began in 1981 with the newly established stamp wholesaler Philagentur GmbH. By 1982, at just 22 years old, I assumed leadership of the company, driving its growth through strategic acquisitions, internal development and service-oriented innovations. Under my guidance, Philagentur GmbH became a market-leading German, European and worldwide representative of postal administrations and wholesale company of new issues.

In 2001 I took over responsibility and in 2002, I took over the management of the renowned auction house Heinrich Koehler in Wiesbaden, and in 2006 strategic leadership for Corinphila and the other companies of the Global Philatelic Network. I have served on the boards of the German Stamp Dealers’ Association (APHV) and the International Federation of Stamp Dealers’ Associations (IFSDA). I also held the position of President of the Federal Association of German Stamp Auctioneers (BDB) from 2005 to 2008.

My personal passion is Irish postal history with a focus on Great Britain postage stamps used in Ireland during the reign of Queen Victoria and hand-illustrated classic letters from the same era.

As a new member of the Council of the PTS - the most international of all philatelic dealers’ Associations -, I hope to share my extensive experience in the trade to foster collaboration among philatelic professionals, promote innovation within the industry, and ensure the long-term sustainability of philately in a rapidly evolving world. I am particularly committed to supporting initiatives that help philatelists develop and showcase their collections, enhance the visibility of philately, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the trade.

After 45 years in the stamp and postal history market, I've seen firsthand how vital professional players are to this hobby. These experts are the backbone of the market, yet their contributions are often undervalued by other participants. Now, more than ever, with the market in a sensitive state, it's crucial that we all recognize their importance, give them the respect they deserve, and allow them to have the influence needed to guide the hobby forward. The health of the market depends on it."

Andrew Titley

Siegel International, USA

"Over the years, the PTS has built a reputation as a trusted community of professionals, and I am proud to contribute to its continued success. Stampex, our annual event, is a cornerstone of this mission, offering collectors from the UK and around the world a unique opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate our shared passion for philately. My commitments are to encourage more international dealers and auctioneers to join and contribute towards our community, and to connect collectors to opportunities we offer including Stampex Talks and Display Your Way. It’s an honor to support this vibrant and respected organization."

Michael Cortese

NobleSpirit, USA

"I am the Vice President of NobleSpirit, a family-run business with over 50 years of expertise in stamps, coins, and collectibles. Since joining the company, I’ve helped transform it from a small operation into a globally recognized enterprise, now employing over 20 team members and shipping to 76 countries. I’ve also had the privilege of spearheading innovative projects like the Stamp Market Index, the only comprehensive database of eBay stamp sales, and Meridian Enterprise Software, designed to streamline operations for collectors and dealers.

I’ve been passionate about philately since I was 8 years old, when I first began collecting stamps and identifying specialized varieties. As an alumnus of the American Philatelic Society’s Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship, I’ve had the opportunity to deepen my connection to the community. Today, I serve as a Director for the APS, where I work to support and grow the hobby I love. I also co-hosted the podcast Conversations with Philatelists, where I explored trends, stories, and innovations in the field.

My goal has always been to foster a vibrant, modern philatelic community, and I am honored to bring this passion and experience to the PTS Council. I hope to champion how technology and cross-collectible learnings can benefit the philatelic trade and PTS Members."

John Curtin

JC Stamps, UK 

"After over 60 years in the stamp trade, I am very grateful for all that it is has allowed me to do and the experiences that it has given me. My wish is for the hobby to keep benefitting and enriching, future dealers and collectors . Being on council enables me to offer my experience and hopefully guide the trade towards a stronger future."

James Leigh (delegate to John Curtin)

"Being on the PTS council is really important to me. The council is full of energetic, enthusiastic, talented, individuals who are working to solve the problems that the stamp trade is facing. Being part of this group gives me the opportunity to learn and help the collective come up with new innovative ways to secure the future of commercial philately."

Marcus Orsi

David Feldman SA, Switzerland

"Serving on the PTS Council matters to me because philately has been a lifelong passion, and I want to give back to the community that has given me so much. It’s an opportunity to support and represent fellow collectors and traders while helping to keep the joy of stamp collecting alive for future generations. Most of all, it allows me to play a part in protecting the traditions of our hobby while encouraging new people to discover its magic.”

Markand Dave

Dave & Sons, India 

"As a Council Member of the Philatelic Traders’ Society (PTS), I am genuinely passionate about contributing to the growth, integrity, and visibility of our trade. I believe in the importance of fostering strong connections between dealers, collectors, and philatelic institutions worldwide. With a background in both exhibiting and promoting philatelic literature, I aim to bring fresh perspectives to the table—particularly in supporting international engagement, digital outreach, and youth involvement. Serving on the PTS Council allows me the privilege to give back to the community that has given me so much, while working collaboratively to ensure a vibrant future for our industry."

Helen Kelley

PTS Office and Events Manager, UK

"Although I’m not on the Council itself, I view my role as essential in helping the PTS achieve its goals. By providing administrative, office, and event support, I’m able to contribute behind the scenes, ensuring both the Council and our members have the resources and assistance they need to make a positive impact within the stamp trade and beyond. This is important to me as I take pride in supporting a community that preserves and promotes the future of philately, and I value knowing that my work helps the Council and its members focus on what they do best."

Suzanne Rae

PTS Managing Director, UK

"As Managing Director of The PTS, taking direction from the Council, my role places me at the forefront of leading and shaping the industry. I am proud to set high standards for professional practice, ensuring our member dealers and partners operate with integrity and excellence. A key part of my work involves connecting the trade with the wider philatelic ecosystem, building strong relationships with collectors, societies, platforms, postal administrations, and philatelic organisations worldwide to encourage more collaboration, innovation, and investment in the future of philately. To our members, we ask "how can we help you do better business?". To the wider community, we ask "how can we work together to help philately thrive, not just survive?". It’s a privilege to serve in a position where I can genuinely make a difference for our industry and its future."

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See list of full PTS Council 2025/26 here.